By JOHN HOFHEIMER
Leader senior staff writer
Approximately 335 Little Rock Air Force Base civilians have been furloughed, but critical civilians and all active-duty personnel at Little Rock Air Force Base — and at Camp Robinson — will remain on duty and paid, thanks to an 11th-hour law passed by Congress Monday night, just before the shutdown of the federal government.
In a shutdown furlough, an affected agency would have to shut down any activities funded by annual appropriations that are not exempted by law.
“Military personnel are not subject to furlough. Military personnel on active duty, to include reserve personnel on active duty, will continue to report for duty and carry out assigned duties,” said Lt. Mallory Glass, 19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs chief.
Col. Patrick Rhatigan, commander of the 19th Airlift Wing, said Tuesday afternoon, “Our civilian teammates have been subjected to another furlough, a move causing distress and disruption to a workforce we depend on every day.”
He continued, “These circumstances are creating financial hardships for so many. Our team is currently supporting operations essential to our national security, such as our ongoing commitment in Afghanistan, where we still have 400 members deployed downrange. Our focus will remain on the mission, as well as being good wingmen by helping each other through these uncertain times. We appreciate all the local support for the men and women of Team Little Rock.”
Glass said, “The current funding status is extremely disruptive to the Air Force...While we are attempting to minimize negative impacts, the Air Force is working with OSD (Office of the Secretary of Defense) to address near-term must-pay bills, such as urgent operational needs in Afghanistan, existing shortfalls in military pay, operations and maintenance costs and military health care, which have all been affected by the additional impacts of the ongoing sequester.”
As for readiness, the shutdown “certainly doesn’t help,” said Second District Rep. Tim Griffin (R-Ark).
Congress Monday night passed a law authorizing pay for all active-duty personnel and civilians who support them, he said, including active-duty Guard.
State Rep. Mark Perry (D-Jacksonville) and retired Army National Guard Col. Mike Ross of North Little Rock, will hold a press conference at 11 a.m. Wednesday in front of Little Rock Air Force Base on the effects of the shutdown on civilian defense workers, veterans’ benefits and the local economy.
The University Center at the base will hold classes as usual.
It is unclear whether the shutdown will affect training flight hours.
At Little Rock Air Force Base, the 19th Medical Wing will remain open, with potential delays at pharmacy or longer appointment wait times.
The base exchange will remain open.
Here is a partial list of the services being shut down or reduced:
CIVIL ENGINEER SQUADRON
Discontinued custodial services for all base facilities other than child development and youth centers.
Discontinued grounds maintenance services for the entire base.
FORCE SUPPORT SQUADRON
Arts and Crafts Center.
Community Center.
Library.
Youth Center — open recreation closed, school age 6:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
School Liaison Office.
Commissary — contact at 987-6990.
Throughout the Air Force, “contractors performing under a contract that was fully obligated upon entering the contract (or renewal or modification) prior to the expiration of appropriations will continue to provide contract services, whether in support of activities that are essential to national security and safety, or not,” according to Capt. Natasha Waggoner, Air Force press desk, secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs.
“Military members and civilians exempted from furlough would be required to provide appropriate contract oversight,” Waggoner said.
New contracts (including renewals) may not be executed unless the contract is in support of an activity that is essential to national security and safety.
“Every member of the Air Force team is important to accomplishing our mission. All civilian personnel paid by appropriated funds will be furloughed, except for the minimum number necessary to accomplish exempted activities that are essential to national security and safety, Waggoner said.
“Congressional actions will determine if retroactive pay will be provided for furloughed personnel — there is no guarantee of back pay,” she continued.
